Street or station indicator



Get, 8, 1929.

A. MASSE STREET OR STATION INDICATOR Filed July 1 925 Q 11111.1 111 ag 0A 1 Q,

25 ts-Sheet 1 Inventor Attbmey Oct. 8, 1929. A. MAssE STREET OR STATIQN INDICATOR Filed July is, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet @W w m Wm &

Attdrliey K MME M W= Patented Oct. 8, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT IVIASSE, OF BEAUFORT, QUEBEC, CANADA, ASSIGNOR OF TWENTY IER CENT EACH T JOSEPH ALFRED EVERELL, MAURICE GRENIER, BOTH OF QUEBEC, AND ERNEST PLAMONDON AND UBALD PLOURDE, BOTH. 0F STE. ANNE BEAU'PRE,

CANADA STREET OR STATION INDICATOR Application filed July 13,

The present invention pertains to a novel street or station indicator designed particularly for use in a. train of cars for the purpose oi indicating the next stop in each car.

The principal object oi the invention is the provision 01'? a device of this character emlmdying a. series oi iiulicators, one in each car so conslriurted and. adapted that an inoperative unit is automatically concealed in order that the passengers viewing this unit will not he d eceivcd as to the position of the train.

The entire s ten'i is operated from any car in the train sclexed as the control car. The wiriu of the apparatus is such that a detective unit will cause a current to flow to the pilot lamp in the controlcarin order to attract the attention of the operator. This centralized control constitutes another ii'nportant object of the invention.

'lhcse objects are accomplished by pro-- viding in each unit a serics 0t commutator-s designed to lea d the current to one or the other of two signal lines when the movement of the :irulicator has ce sed, and some of these commutators are also adapted to deliver current from the signal lines to a signal magnet. In the normal operation or": the device when the parts are in order, the c mnection between the active nal line and the commutator associatcd wn h the si 'nal niasinet is broken. At

such 1 imes, one of the commutators is however connected to the inactive signal line. The comn'uitators are moved in unison with the staion disolay curtai and when the curtain in a given unit fails to operate, the associated commutators will also fail to operate. Tlheresult that the previously inactive sig nal line rcmaii in contact with the commutator connected to the signal magnet, whereby a circuit to the signal magnet is made when the device is operated for the next display. I

A weighted blind is suspended over the display curtain and released by operation of the magnet which is energized in the manner described. At the same timeythe movement of the blind is utilized to complete a circuit through the pilot lamp in the control car.

The invention is fully disclosed in the following description and in the accompanying drawings in which:

1925. Serial nu 43,336.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the sign operating units, one wall of the enclosed casingheing removed;

l igure 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 Figure 1;

Figure i: is a iiragmentary plan view of Figure 1.;

Figure is a fragmentary plan section beneath the top wall of the casing;

Figure (3 is a wiring diagram of two connezi-tedunitr-s, the control switch of the initial left hand unit being closed while the switch in the r. t hand unit is opened;

l igure 7 is a perspective view of a curtain releasing mechanism embodied in each unit;

l igure 8 is a fragmentary transverse sec- {i011 taken. through. the casing;

F igure 9 is a tiragrnentary horizontal section through the mechanism shown in Figure 7, and

Figure 10 is an enlarged detail horizontal section tin-(nigh a portion of the structure disclosed in Figure 7.

Reference to these views will now be made by use oil like characters which are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout.

'lhrough the entire train of cars is run a series of conductors, namely, the positive main 1 which delivers current to the apparatus, the negative side being grounded, a bus line 2 which (ilelivers current for operating the sign actuating mechanism in each car, signal lines 3 and l: for conveying the is a section on the line 3-3 of current when the signs in the several cars are not in operation, and finally a signal bus conductor 5 for delivering current to the out-of-order signals associated with each unit.

lVith reference now to Figures 1 to 5, each car of the train contains a sign display and actuating device similar to that shown in the United States patent to Even ell et al., No. 1,438,990 of DecemberlOth, 1922. This device comprises a housing 6 having a pair of partitions 7 near its end walls in which partitions are jourualed a pair of sign roller shafts 8 and 9. The shafts carry rollers 10 and 11 respectively upon which is wound a flexible indicator sign 12 designating the various stops that the train makes and designed to wind from one roller to the other. The sign is illuminated by lamps 12 mounted within the housing 6. These shafts further carry 10 and 11 which are connected through an intermediate pinion 13. The. shaft 9 carries still another pinion 1% (Figure 3) meshing with a gear 15 mounted on a stub shaft 16 which is journaled in a suitable strip 17 secured within the casing 6. On the stub shaft 16 is also mounted a drum 18 containing a ratchet device of conventional form which carries the gear 15 when the drum is turned in a given direction and which moves independently of the gear when the drum turns in the opposite direction. From the drum extends a lever 19 adapted to work in a slot 20 cutin the up-- per wall of the housing.

On the top wall of the housing is mounted an air cylinder 21 lying parallel to the slot 20. The piston 22 in the cylinder is con nected to a hook 23 which has a slot 2lin its free end for receiving the lever 19. The cylinder is fed from an air line 25. In each such line is contained an electro-magnctically operated valve 26 having one terminal joined to the bus line 2 by a conductor 27, and the remaining terminal grounded as indicated by the numeral 28.

Adjacent each signal casing is mounted a control switch 29 having a pair of knife blades, one of which is connected with the main 1 through a conductor 30 and the other of which is grounded through conductor 31. A pilot lamp 32 is connected in the ground line 31. The switch 29, is prefer ably formed with an insulating handle 29', the purpose of which will be later described.

The switch blades are operable to engage contacts 34 and 34: the contact at being joined to a signal bus conductor 5 by a wire 33, while the opposed contact 3% is connected to an automatic indicator switch 36 through the conductor 35. The switch 36 is operable to engage a pair of spaced contacts 37 and 38, the contact 37 being connected by a wire 39 to the bus line 2, while the contact 38 is connected to another portion of the apparatus, as will be hereinafter indicated. The switch 36 is operated by means of an electro-magnet 4O electrically connected between the conductor and a ground connection ll. A hand operated switch as is disposed between the magnet 40 and the ground for controlling the operation of the switch 36.

In the operation of the device, as thus far described, a particular car in the train is selected as the control car from which the indicators in all the cars are operated. In the contol car the switch 29 is closed as initially shown in Figure 6, and the hand Figure 6, but the indicators in these switch is operated at each station. In the remaining cars the current switch 29 and hand switch 42 are left open as in right of cars nevertheless operate through the manipula tion of the switches 29 and 42 in the control car. The switch 29 in the control car is normally closed to furnish current from the main lto the several indicators whenever the hand switch l2 is closed. Upon reaching a station, the switch 42 is closed whereby the electro-magnet l0 carries the indicator switch 36 to the contact 37. The current thence flows through conductor 39 to the bus line 2 and from there to each of t magnetic valves 26 of the several cars. Air is thus supplied to each cylinder 21 whereby the 15 in each casing turn-l. This gear rotates the corresponding pin 1% whereby the curtain rollers 10 and 11 are also turned to shift the sign 12. ll hen the station has been passed, the switch l2 in tie control car is again opened whereby electro-magnet ll) is de-energized and the indicator switch 36 returned to the contact 38. The discontinuation of current in the bus line 2 closes the valves 26 and stops the flow of air to the cylinders 21. Each piston 22 is returned by means of a spring %3 at tached to the corresponding lever 19 and to a fixed point within the casing Due to the above mentioned ratchet 13, the return movement of the lever does not affect the gearing. The return of the pistons is permitted by means of check valves disposed therein in a manner well known in the art.

Behind the sign rollers, with reference to the sight opening of the casing 6 (Figure 2), are journaled a pair of parallel connuutator shafts 45 and 46 supported in suitable bearings 45 and it. The shafts are connected by equal engaging gears a5 and l6, which are twice the circumference of the gear 11 which meshes with the gear 45. The. shaft l" carries a pair commutator drums 47 and l8 carrying diagonally opposed brushes 47, a? and 48 48". The brushes on each commutator are connected by wires l9 runing through the drums. Similarly, the shaft e bcarries a pair of commutator driuns 50 and 51 each having a pair of diagonally opposed brushes 50, 50 and. 51, 51 connected by wires 52. The drums on each shaft are oppositely disposed to one another with reference to the position of their brushes. and the adjacent connnuta-tors on different shafts are parallel, as shown in Figure Double contacts 53 and 54; are placed between the shafts l5 and Q6, and single contacts 55, 56', 57 and 58 are placed outside the shafts. These contacts are so arranged as to engage the brushes of one pair of diagonally opposite commutators, one commutator on each shaft, and to maintain the remainingcommutators disengaged in any position of the parts. Due to the relation in thesize of the gears 11, and 46 ach. rotation of the roller 11, Which is suilicient to bring a new legend into View,

causes a half turn of the shafts 45 and 46. Consequently, the engaged commutators are alternated from one diagonal pair to the other.

In the normal operation of the device after the indicator switch 36 has been returned to the contact 38, the current flows along a conductor which is branched to the contacts 55 and 56. Return lines 61 and 62 connect the intermediate contacts 53 and 54 respectively to the signal lines 3 and 4 respectively. In one oi the two possible positions of the com- .mutators, when the pair 48 and 50 are engaged (Figure the cin'rent continues from the contact 56 across the comn'iutator 48 to the intermediate contact 54 and thence through the return 61 to the signal line 3. No current is supplied to the other engaged commutator 50 since the contact 53 is disconnected from the con'm'iutator 47. In the other position of the commutators, when the pair 47 and 51 are engaged, as in right hand portion oi Figure 6, the current continues across commutator 47 to the return 62 and to the line 4. No current is supplied to the other engaged conunutator 51 when the parts are in proper working order, since the contact 54 is disconnected from the commutator 48.

Each casing 6 contains a box 63 enclosing an electro-magnet, the plunger 64 of which slidable through one 01? the walls of the box. Into one end of the box are passed a pair ct guide screws 65 on which is mounted a slotted slide 66 as shown to advantage in F igure 10 consisting of insulating material. To the sides of the box are attached a pair of metallic strips 67 and 68 insulated from said box by insulating strips 68 and held in place by bolts 69 passed through the box. To the ends of the block 66 are secured a pair of contacts 70 and 71 disposed between the strips 67 and 68 and so spaced that only one of the contacts can engage a strip at a time. An insulating bushing 72 surrounds the bolt 69 within the strip 68. The electro-magnet (73 shown in Figure 9) within the box has one of its terminals connected to a post 73 on the strip 68 and the remaining terminal connected to the bolt 69 which is grounded through a conductor74. To the contact 71 is attached a conductor 75 which is branched at 75 and 75" Figure 6 and thus joined to the contacts 57 and 58. The strip 67 has attached thereto a post 76 to which is connected the main 1.

. A conductor 77 connects the contacts 70 to the goal bus conductor 5.

Adjacent the contact 71 and plunger 64 is journaled a curtain control shaft 78 carrying a pinion 7 9 shown in Figure 5. In parallel relation to this shaft is journaled a curtain roller 80 on which is wound a curtain 81 pass ing through a slot- 82 in the top of the housing 6 and over rollers or guides 83 to the front wall of the housing. The free end of the curtain carries one or more weights 84 by means of which the curtain may be drawn over the sight opening when the roller 80 is released. The roller is normally held against rotation by means of a pinion 85 mounted thereon and meshing with the pinion 79, the shaft 78 of the latter pinion carrying a detcnt 86 normally engaging the projecting 64. Opposite the contact 71, the shait 78 ca"- ries a finger 87 adapted to engage this contact but spaced theretron'i when the detent is held by the plunger. A spring 88 secured to the base of the casing 6 engages one end oi the plunger '64 and normally holds it projected in the positions shown in Figures 9 and 8.

It has already been explaimsd that the current after passing through the apparatus in the control car is led to one of the signal lines 3 and 4. The active signal line is disconnected from the signal magnet at 50 or 51. By reason of the direct connection between the sign roller and the comn'iutators,

the members 50 and 51 which are adapted to connect with the branches 7 5 and 75 are separated from the active return line 61 or 62 when the apparatus is in proper order.

In the right hand portion of Figure 6 is illustrated the position of parts in one of the non-control units when this apparatus is out plunger of order. The signal line 3 is the active carry oil line. Due to a defect 1n the mechanism,

the sign roller did not operate at the previous station and. consequently the colnmutators have also failed to move. Therefore, the connection between the active return line 61 and the communtator 51, has not been broken. The current then flows from the active signal line 3 through the line 61, commutator 51, branch 75", line 75, arm 71, strip 68, terminal 78, through the magnet within the box 63, through bolt 69 and ground wire 74. The magnet within the box is therefore energized and withdraws the plunger 64. The detent 86 is thus released, and the weights 84 at the end of the line 81 are free to turn the roller 80, which motion is imparted to the shatt 78. The finger 87 engages the arm 71 and moves the slide 66 whereby the arm 70 engages the strip 67 and the magnet circuit is broken. This strip is connected to the main 1 at terminal 7 6 and the main current consequently flows along arm 70, con ductor 77, signal bus conductor 5, line 33 ot the control car, switch terminal 34 through the blade of the control switch 29 which is normally closed and finally through the pilot lamp 32 in the control car to the ground. Thus, the pilot lamp in the control car where the operator stands is illuminated when any unit becomes inoperative, but the pilot lamps in the remaining cars receive no current since the corresponding control switches are normally open. It is to be noted, that no ourrent can flow directly from the main 1 and through the switch 29 of any car to the pilot lamp because the handle 29 between the blades of each switch is of insulating material.

While a specific embodiment of the inven tion has been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that various alterations in the details or construction may be made without departing from the spirit ot the invention as indicated by the appended claims.

Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim as new and desire toprotect by Letters Patent is 1. In a station indicator system, a plurality of signals having changeable station indicators, mechanism mounted in the signals for actuating the indicators, means for simultaneously operating the said indicator actuatmechanism, means carried by said signals operable to conceal the indicators, and means for actuating the signal covering means of any signal to conceal the same when the indicator actuating mechanism fails to operate.

2. In a station in dicator system, a plurality of signal casings having changeable station indicator. mounted therein, mechanism mounted in the casings for actuating said indicators, means for simultaneously operating the indicators from control unit, means operable to cover the indicators mounted on said casings, and means for actuating the said signal covering means of any signal whose indicator actuating mechanism fails to operate in harmony with the remaining indicators.

3. in a station indicator system, a plurality of signals including signal casings and station indicators mounted in the casings, mechanism mounted in each casing for actuating said indicators in step by step movement, electrically controlled means for simultaneously operating the said signal actuating mechanisms, means carried by each casing operable to conceal the indicator thereof at certain periods, and means tor actuating the indicator covering means or any signal whose indicator actuating mechanism fails to operate in harmony with the remaining indicators.

l. In a station indicator system, a plurality of signals including signal casings and station indicators mounted in the casings, mechanism mounted in each casing for actuating said indicators in step by step movement, electrically controlled means for simultaneously operating the said signal actuating mechanism, means carried by each casing operable to conceal the indicator thereof at certain periods, and means operatively associated with the electrically controlled actuating means for actuating the covering means of any signal when the indicator thereof fails to operate in conjunction with the remaining indicators.

5. In a station indicator system, a plurality of signals having changeable station indicators, mechanism mounted in each signal for actuating the said indicators, means for simultaneously operating the said indicator actuating mechanisms, means carried by said signals for concealing the indicators at certain periods, and means for actuating the said signal covering means to conceal the signal whose indicator operating mechanism fails to function.

6. In a station indicator system including a plurality of signals having changeable station indicators, mechanism mounted for actuating ach of said indicators, electrically controlled means tor simultaneously operating the indicator actuating mechanism, a curtain operable to conceal each indicator, mechanism for actuating the curtains to signal concealing position, and electrically operated mechanism operatively associated with the electrically controlled indicator mechanism operating means for concealing an indicator whose operating inechanism fails to operate in conjunction with the remaining indicators.

7. in a station indicator system, the combination with a plurality of signals having changeable station indicators, mechanism operable to actuate the indicators in a step by step movement, and electrically controlled means for simultaneously operating the said indicator actuating mecnanisms, 0t curtains mounted on the signals operable to indicator concealing positions, curtain operating mechanism operatively associated with the indicator actuating mechanism, and means for operating the curtain of any signal to conceal the indicator thereof when the indicator actuating mechanism fails to operate in conjunction with the remaining indicators.

S. In a station indicator system, the combination with a plurality of signals having changeable station indicators, mechanism operable to actuate the indicators in a step by step movement, and electrically controlled means for simultaneously operating the said indicator actuating mechanisms, of curtains mounted on the signals operable to indicator concealing positions, curtain operating mechanism operatively associated with the indicator actuating mechanism, and electrically operated means operatively associated with the electrically controlled indicator mechanism operating means for actuating the curtain of any signal to indicator concealing position when the actuating mechanism of said indicator fails to operate in conjunction with the remaining indicators.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

ALBERT lilASSE. 

